Piano-action.



T. P. B

I PIANO A APPLICATION FILED FEB.23,191

Patented June '23, 1914.

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UNITED STATES PATENT oFEIoE.

THEODORE P. BROWN, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO SIMPLEX PLAYER ACTION (30., OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A. CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

PIANO-ACTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 23, 1914.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Tnnooonn P. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Piano-Action, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to pneumatic piano actions and players.

The principal objects of the invention are to provide an improved connection between the movable leaves of the pneumatics and the capstan screws therefor which directly operate the wippens. Also to provide a connection of this kind in which the upward motion is practically without side thrust and so arranged as to prevent bindin in the stationary guide strip, in which t e parts are in convenient position for adjustment, and in which there is no rattle or lost motion at the connection between the movable leaf and the threaded wire that operates the capstan.

The invention also involves'a construction which is much cheaper and simpler than those now in use for this pur ose.

Reference is to be had to t e accompanying drawings in whichigure 1 is a side view of a portion of an action for a iano player showing a preferred form of this invention applied thereto. Fig. 2 is an end view or one of the connectin devices forthe pneumatic shown as provi ed with a capstan screw, and Fig. 3 is a plan of the connection removed from the pneumatic.

It is well understood that in a piano the throw of the piano action is regulated by the distance of travel of the front of the key. Otherwise the rear end of thekey would move the action until the hammer blocked against the piano string or Wire. In a pneumatic piano or piano player the same result must be achieved by blocking off the travel or motion of the pneumatic instead of the key. This invention relates to im roved connections by which this is accomplis ed.

The invention is shown as applied to a well known type of pneumatic piano player involving a series of pneumatics 10 each having a movable leaf 11 and adapted to op crate individually a series of piano action wi pens 12 which may be connected with the abstracts 13. According to the present invention each one of the movable leaves is provided with a bracket 15 preferably consistmg of sheet metal and having on the end of the pneumatic a vertical piece 16 which provides an off-set in various sizes to match up with the scale of the piano in accordance with the positions of the pneumatics of a section with respect to the several wippens which they are designed to operate. At the end of this arm 16 is a vertical end 17, the three parts 15, 16 and 17 being integral and formed preferably from a single piece of sheet metal. According to this invention the end piece 17 is perforated and provided with a screw 18 preferably located in horizontal positiowtransverse to thedirection of motion of the movable leaf. On this is pivoted a block 19 preferably of sole leather and held on the screw by a washer 20 preferably also of sole leather. This leather block is rovided with a vertical perforation into w ich a screw-threaded wire 21 screws to provide an adjustment. The top of this wire is soldered into the bottom of a capstan screw 22 havin a head 23 adapted to engage the under si e of the wippea. This capstan screw is adj ustably mounted in a brass barrel 24 which has an integral collar at the top resting on a felt buffer 25 on the stationary guide stri 26. A washer 27, preferably of brass, is s own also to lock the barrel on the capstan screw so that its relative position shall not change. The barrel of course forms a guide for the capstan screw and wire.

In operation the adjustment of the throw of the pneumatic is obtained by turning the capstan screw up or down so as to move the threaded wire in the leather block 19 until the up stroke of the pneumatic leaves the movable leaf tight against the bumper 29 when the piano action is at its proper elevation for preventing the blocking of the hammer.' The brass barrel 24 is turned up or down on the thread of the capstan screw until the capstan screw just bears against the wippens when the pneumatic is distended, the washer 27 of course is screwed up to the proper position to prevent any change in the adjustment.

On account of the pivotal connection of the leather block 19 with the movable leaf of the pneumatic the upthrow of the wire 21 is practically without side thrust and there can be no binding in the guide strip. Moreover, on account of the brass barrel and capstan being exposed above the guide strip they are in convenient position for adjustment. In addition to this there is no rattle or lost motion at the connection of the leather block 19 with the wire and bracket even after years of wear and the device is extremely simple to manufacture and to keep in order and therefore results in economy in production.

Although I have illustrated and described a single form of the invention and shown it as applied to only one type of instrument, I am aware that many modifications can be made therein and that it can be applied to other types of musical. instruments without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to all the details of construction herein shown 'and described, or to the specific type of instrument illustrated, but X What I do claim is 1. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination with an operating pneumatic, of a leather block pivoted on the movable leaf of said pneumatic, a wire threaded into said block, and a capstan screw connected with the vrire.

2. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination of a pneumatic having a movable leaf, a bracket on the bottom of the movable leaf havin piece thereon provi ed with a vertical portion perpendicular thereto, a horizontala vertical transverse screw mounted on said vertical portion, a block pivoted on said screw, and a wire adjustably mounted in said block, said vertical portion being parallel with the direction of motion of the movable leaf and the screw being transverse thereto.

3. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination of a pneumatic having a movable leaf, a bracket on the pneumatlc having an ofi-set arm thereon, a wire adjustably connected with said arm, a stationa guide strip above the arm, a barrel mounte in the guide strip' and secured to the upper end of the wire, and a capstan screw adjustably mounted on the barrel. r

4. In a pneumatic musical instrument, the combination of a pneumatic having a movable leaf, ahorizontal screw mounted on said movable leaf, a block pivoted on said screw, a screw-threaded wire adjustably mounted in said block, a stationary guide strip above the block, a barrel mounted in the uide strip and secured to the ilpper end 0 thewire, a screw adjustably mounted on the barrel, and a wippen in position to be engaged by said screw.

In testimony 'whereof I have hereunto set my hand, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THEODORE P. BROWN.

Witnesses: Y .ALBfia'r E. RAY, I

0. Form Wesson. 

